[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 154 (Friday, August 9, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51815-51816]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-20219]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; National Forest Recreation Use

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Forest Service announces its intent to extend a previously approved 
information collection. The information collection is composed of two 
forms. The Forest Service uses these forms to estimate the amount and 
type of recreational use that occurs on National Forest System lands, 
to assess customer satisfaction and agency performance in meeting 
customer needs, and to evaluate the economic impact and value of 
recreation use of National Forest System lands. The collection also 
will help the Forest Service meet the requirements of the Government 
Performance and Results Act of 1993 and the National Forest Management 
Act of 1976. Information will be collected from people who visit 
National Forest System lands for recreational activities.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before October 8, 
2002.

ADDRESSES: All comments should be addressed to Donald B.K. English, 
Research Social Scientist, Forestry Sciences Laboratory, Forest 
Service, USDA, 320 Green St., Athens, GA 30602, or e-mail 
[email protected].
    The public may inspect comments at the offices of Donald English, 
Research Work Unit SRS-4901, Forest Service, USDA, 320 Green St., 
Athens, GA. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead, (706) 559-4268, to 
facilitate entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donald B.K. English, Forest Service

[[Page 51816]]

Southern Research Station, at (706) 559-4268.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 requires that 
Federal agencies establish measurable goals and monitor their success 
at meeting those goals. Two items the Forest Service will measure are: 
(1) the views and satisfaction level of recreational visitors to 
National Forest System lands about the types and quality of recreation 
services the agency provides; and (2) the number of visitors who come 
to National Forest System lands for recreation. The agency is often 
asked for this kind of information from a variety of organizations that 
include Congressional staffs, newspapers, magazines, and recreational 
trade organizations.
    The currently approved information collection is composed of two 
different survey forms that are designed to evaluate agency performance 
in meeting the needs of visitors to individual recreation sites. One 
form is used to describe the visitors, their level of satisfaction, and 
their evaluation of the agency's performance. The other form is 
required to estimate the number of visitors who use National Forests 
for recreation. The second collection form differs in both the sampling 
framework and the set of questions asked of visitors.
    National Forest System land managers use the collected information 
to better understand their recreational visitors, to improve 
recreational opportunities and services, and to identify barriers that 
prevent the agency from meeting the recreational needs of its 
customers. Data from this information collection also will be 
considered in revisions of land and resource management plans for 
National Forest System lands, as required by the National Forest 
Management Act of 1976. The collected information will be shared with 
all National Forest System land managers and, upon request, with 
others. Results from this collection will be published in agency 
reports and various research journals.

Description of Information Collection

    Title: Customer and Use Survey Techniques for Operations, 
Management, Evaluation, and Research.
    OMB Number: 0596-0110.
    Expiration Date of Approval: February 28, 2002.
    Type of Request: Extension of a previously approved collection.
    Abstract: The data from this information collection will provide 
the agency with information about the characteristics, needs, and 
opinions of recreation visitors to selected recreation sites on Forest 
Service and other public agency lands.
    Agency personnel, contract personnel, and volunteers, trained in 
conducting face-to-face interviews, will contact people who are 
visiting public lands for recreational purposes. Survey questions will 
focus on how well the agency meets visitors' expectations for 
recreational opportunities, their satisfaction with the recreational 
site of their choice, and if they have concerns regarding the agency's 
management of the site.
    Agency land managers will use the collected information to better 
understand their recreational customers, to improve recreational 
opportunities and services, and to identify barriers that prevent the 
agency from meeting the recreational needs of its customers.
    The collected information will be shared with agency land managers 
and upon request, with others.
    Data gathered in this collection is not available from other 
sources.
    Estimate of Burden: 10 minutes.
    Type of Respondents: People who visit National Forest System land 
for recreational purposes.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,000 hours.

Description of Information Collection

    Title: National Forest Visitor Use Monitoring.
    OMB Number: 0596-0110.
    Expiration Date of Approval: February 28, 2002.
    Type of Request: Extension of a previously approved collection.
    Abstract: Data from this information collection is used to estimate 
the numbers of recreational visitors to National Forests and 
Grasslands, and associated Wilderness, as well as the types of 
activities in which these visitors participate. The data are used to 
identify recreational markets, defined customers served, evaluate 
visitor satisfaction, and estimate the economic values and impacts of 
recreational visits.
    Respondents are asked questions about the activities in which they 
participate while visiting National Forest System lands, the duration 
of their visit, how often they visit, what types of items they have 
purchased during their visit, and their satisfaction with various 
aspects of their visit.
    Forest Service personnel will interview visitors as they exit 
National Forest System recreational sites. Surveys will be conducted on 
about one-fourth of the National Forests each year, so that complete 
coverage of agency lands will occur over a four-year cycle. Each 
National Forest will retain a copy of data collected on its visitors. 
Results of this study will be published in agency reports and various 
research journals.
    Data gathered in this collection is not available from other 
sources.
    Estimate of Burden: 8 minutes.
    Type of Respondents: People who visit the National Forest System 
lands for recreational purposes.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 60,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 8,000 hours.

Comment Is Invited

    The agency invites comments on the following: (a) Whether the 
proposed collection of information is necessary for the stated purposes 
and the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical or scientific utility; (b) 
the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed 
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize 
the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including 
the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Use of Comment

    All comments, including name and address when provided, will become 
a matter of public record. Comments received in response to this notice 
will be summarized and included in the request for Office of Management 
and Budget approval.

    Dated: August 5, 2002.
Robert Lewis, Jr.,
Deputy Chief, Research & Development.
[FR Doc. 02-20219 Filed 8-8-02; 8:45 am]
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